Mixed Reality Deck Marking Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual method of deck marking, which involves visualizing 2D technical drawings on a physical surface like a vessel's deck, is time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies, especially in the heavy shipping industry where high precision is required, leading to increased risks and reduced vessel utilization during the process.

Innovation Solution

The use of mixed reality devices, such as the Microsoft HoloLens, to project virtual footprints of loads onto the deck surface, allowing crew members or port captains to accurately and efficiently mark reference points and lines using orthographic projection, with audio-visual instructions and physical markers for correct positioning, reducing the need for manual measurement and increasing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual deck marking is used to visualize 2D technical drawings on the vessel deck, then the process can be completed with simple tools, but the time consumption increases and accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeck marking accuracyVSAvoiddeck marking time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement and marking methods with an optical system consisting of a camera, processor, and display device. The camera captures images of the deck, the processor automatically processes these images to generate accurate 2D technical drawings, and the display device presents the final markings. This substitution of mechanical manual work with automated optical-electronic processing significantly improves both accuracy and reduces time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual visualization of 2D technical drawings is performed by port captains, then no specialized equipment is needed, but the risk of incorrect marking increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking correctnessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically capturing deck images, processing them to generate technical drawings, and producing accurate markings without requiring manual intervention from port captains. The automated image processing and calculation algorithms eliminate human error in measurement and visualization, significantly improving reliability while the integrated nature of the system keeps complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If traditional manual deck marking is used, then the process can proceed without technical equipment, but vessel utilization is reduced during marking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevessel utilizationVSAvoidimplementation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing manual deck marking with an automated optical system, the time required for deck marking is dramatically reduced. The camera and processor work continuously and quickly to generate accurate markings, allowing the vessel to return to commercial use much faster. This improves vessel utilization (productivity) while the system remains relatively simple to implement, requiring only a camera, processor, and display device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3704565B1Method for visualizing a 2d technical drawing on a physical surface of a vessel
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 JUMBO MARITIME
  • EP3704565B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3704565B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to method for visualizing a 2D technical drawing (1 ) on a physical surface (2), characterized by - uploading a 2D technical drawing to a computer-readable memory or medium (3) of a mixed reality device (4), - allowing a wearer (5) of the mixed reality device to view the physical surface through a viewing screen (6) of the mixed reality device, and - instructing the mixed reality device to display the 2D technical drawing on the viewing screen in such a way, that the wearer of the mixed reality device sees the physical surface with the 2D technical drawing being orthographically projected (7) thereon, as well as a mixed reality device (4) comprising a computer- readable medium (3) with software instructions to carry out the method, and a helmet (18) comprising such a mixed reality device.